1. ICME-3 Indigenous Knowledge Panel Towards greater status of local knowledge & language in learning Salanieta Bakalevu University of the South Pacific Suva, Fiji.

2. USP Region

3. Fijian Mathematics Ideas 1. Counting System 2. Measurement 3. Traditional economy & exchange 4. Adaptations to the cash economy 5. Kinship 6. Navigation 7. Design & patterns Ideas are part of content for Fijian as a subject, and Culture as extra-curricular activity. Challenge is to use the maths ideas embedded in their processes

4. Fijian artifact Geometry: Fijian Bure

5. Fijian artifact Carving at Oceania Centre, USP

6. Fijian artifact Geometry: Lali & Tanoa

7. Geometrical Ideas: mat & tapa designs

10. Concrete Settings Estimation is common Fijian Counting System (in 10s) is similar to a base 10 system 4. Body parts measures 5. Local trading systems of “dinau”; “kerekere” move to and fro on lower positive & negative ends of number line 6. Fijian maths register is lacking

11. Positive developments 1. Dept of Culture & Heritage: conserve, develop & promote indigenous identity & cultural heritage; 2. Language policy: Intention to promote greater literacy status to Fijian language; 3. Fijian language & culture studies in schools: Draft framework & content, to Form 7; 3. Fijian Language Commission: newly established 4. Teacher Education: Vernacular Studies gaining popularity ; more projects in Maths Ed. 5. Research: Pacific islands is focus at USP; 6. Glossary of Fijian mathematical terms is current project

12. Future The Yap fishermen will get there yet! Vinaka